How to create a DOCX in Word so that it doesn't change when opened with LibreOffice

If you work with people who use different suites, you've probably encountered the classic experience: you open a Word document in LibreOffice and something seems out of place. The good news is that there are practical ways to fix it. minimize those differences so that a DOCX created in Microsoft Word look stable in LibreOffice no drama.

In this guide you will find, step by step, the key settings in LibreOffice, what decisions to make when composing in Word, and how to convert between formatos without losing your bearings. You'll also see important nuances about macros, real compatibility limitations (SmartArt, shapes, advanced styles…), tips for collaborating with editors who use Change control, and additional resources that will make your life easier.

Why a DOCX may look different in LibreOffice

To understand the problem, it's important to know that Word uses OOXML (Office Open XML), an ISO-approved standard. The problem is that, historically, Microsoft has not always followed the standard to the letter which promoted, which makes it difficult for other suites to reproduce it 100%.

LibreOffice, on the other hand, saves by default in ODF (ODT, ODS, ODP). Although open and save DOCX, some complex elements (effects on images, SmartArt, certain bibliographic citations, etc.) may not be transferred with complete fidelity because they require reverse engineering and sometimes conflict with copyright restrictions.

Added to this is the so-called "compatibility mode" in Word. There are DOCX files that, in reality, Internally they behave like legacy .docLibreOffice handles them better than other suites, but it's not magic: the more "legacy" the document, the more likely you are to see differences.

In this context, the strategy is to two fronts: Create in Word using features that LibreOffice is familiar with, and configure LibreOffice to open/save with DOCX in a predictable way.

Prepare Word so your DOCX survives safely in LibreOffice

First of all, think about compatibility when writing. There are layout choices that make a difference when the file jumps to LibreOffice.

• Fonts: Stick to standard fonts present in both ecosystems (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri/Carlito, Cambria/Caladea). Avoid unusual or embedded fonts, because if they are not installed On the other team, there will be substitutions and spacing changes.
• Images: insert images “in line with the text” when looking for a stable flow. Complex anchors and layout adjustments can result in unwanted jumps when opened in LibreOffice.
• Avoid SmartArt and Advanced Shapes: These objects are protected and their implementation it is not fully portableIf you need hierarchies or diagrams, use bulleted/numbered lists or draw simple elements that you can flatten into an image.
• Simple Styles: Use basic paragraph and character styles. Advanced style interactions, highly customized multi-level numbering, or specific document topics sometimes they don't translate well.
• Clean tables: best without shading or borders with special effects. Keep cell sizes and alignments simple so that LibreOffice calculates the same the width.
• Citations and references: Avoid automatic bibliography if it will later be opened in LibreOffice. Whenever possible, converts to static text or manually replicate the final format.

Check if your file is in “compatibility mode.” In Word, you’ll see this in the document title bar. To switch to a “pure” DOCX, use “File → Save As” and choose the “Word Document (*.docx)” type. This reduces the likelihood of inherited behaviors that complicate LibreOffice.

Practical tip: When the recipient is going to edit the file in LibreOffice, a conservative alternative is share two copies: one in DOCX for those who use Word and another in ODT in case the main edition will be in LibreOffice. This way everyone works with their own native format and conversions are minimized.

If you collaborate with editors who use “Track Changes” (as many professional services do), remember that this feature works better and natively in .docx documents. If you started with ODT, it's a good idea to convert to DOCX before editing to avoid any issues with revisions and comments.

Configure LibreOffice to open and save DOCX files seamlessly

LibreOffice can open and save formats Microsoft Office, including OOXML. Still, there are tweaks that are worth tweaking to make the experience as smooth as possible. more predictable if you work with DOCX all day.

• Open Microsoft Office files: Go to “File → Open” and select the document. LibreOffice automatically routes per application: .doc/.docx in Writer, .xls/.xlsx in Calc and .ppt/.pps/.pptx in Impress.
• Save as a Microsoft Office file: Use “File → Save As” and, under “File type,” choose the desired Microsoft format. Writer offers “Word 2007-365 (*.docx)".
• Set DOCX as the default format: Go to “Tools → Options → Load/Save → General.” Under “Default File Format and ODF Options,” select “Text Document,” then “Word 2007-365 (*.docx)” under “Always save as.” You can uncheck “Warn when not saving to ODF…” if you prefer a prompt-free workflow.
• Batch Conversion: If you have been given a folder full of DOC, XLS and PPT files, the “Document Conversion Wizard” copy and convert all to ODF. It’s located in “File → Wizards → Document Converter.”

Important: LibreOffice saves DOCX, but not in the ISO “strict profile” of OOXML; we are talking about a compatibility mode. Still, for everyday collaboration, it's usually sufficient if the document was designed with compatibility criteria in mind.

Macros and VBA: Dos and Don'ts

Microsoft Office uses VBA; LibreOffice uses Basic over the LibreOffice API (UNO). Although they share similarities in language, objects and methods They are different. Therefore, a document with macros designed for Word doesn't "run" the same way in LibreOffice.

Options to consider when opening documents with VBA macros in LibreOffice: go to “Tools → Options → Load/Save → VBA Properties” and decide whether to keep them, delete them, or how they are managed. LibreOffice can load the code for viewing and editing, but don't expect it to works as is.

The usual strategy if you need to keep the macros for Word users: open the DOCX in LibreOffice only to edit the content (text, tables, images), without touching the macros, and save it again in Microsoft format. When you reopen it in Word, the macros will be saved. VBA macros will continue to work like before.

Convert between Word, LibreOffice and OpenOffice without getting lost

You may have to go back and forth between ODT and DOCX, or even OpenOffice. Here are several reliable ways to make the conversion don't play tricks on you.

• From ODT to DOCX (in LibreOffice): Open the ODT, go to “File → Save As” and choose “Word 2007-365 (*.docx)”. This is the preferred method if the recipient uses the Change control of Word.
• From DOCX to ODT (in LibreOffice): Use “File → Wizards → Document Converter” for entire folders, or “Save As” for individual files. This step is useful if the main edition It will be in LibreOffice.
• Save to ODT from Word: Word allows you to “File → Save As” and choose “Open Document Type (.odt).” If your workflow requires working with open standards, this is a good option. direct and official.
• OpenOffice to Word (DOCX): OpenOffice does not save in .docx. If you can't use LibreOffice to convert, use a trusted online service: choose a “converter to DOCX”, upload the ODT file, click convert and download the result.
• LaTeX to DOCX (for review in Word): a working trick is to open that PDF in Word (it automatically converts to an editable document) and then save as .docx. Check the formatting afterward as there may be minor inconsistencies.

Whatever the conversion direction, don't skip the final review: open the converted file, browse through headings, lists, page breaks, tables and images and correct them. every little detail before sharing it.

What not to use if you want inter-suite fidelity

Beyond the technical aspects, practice rules. There are content families that tend to cause problems when moving from Word to LibreOffice (and vice versa). Avoid them or simplify them to keep the DOCX file intact. as stable as possible.

• Advanced image effects (complex shadows, reflections, 3D). Replace them with raster editions if the effect is essential.
• SmartArt and some proprietary shapes: Due to copyright and implementation, don't expect full editing outside of Word. It's better to use lists and styles well-defined or simple diagrams such as images.
• Automatic citation/bibliography systems: convert them to plain text or review the result when opening in LibreOffice for adjust format.
• Overly customized styles and sophisticated multi-layer numbering: Keep a clear but simple hierarchy, and check that multilevel lists they retain the same appearance.

Remember that none of the major suites (Word, LibreOffice, OpenOffice) are 100% compatible with the others. With knowledge and good judgment, you can avoid 90% of scares in common text documents.

LibreOffice with Microsoft Office look and save settings

If you're more comfortable with the Microsoft Office aesthetic, there are guides that explain how to adapt LibreOffice so that the interface closely resembles the "Office style." It's a decent approximation for flatten the curve If you're coming from Word, however, these guides don't always cover the details of "save in Microsoft formats by default," which you've already seen how to configure via "Load/Save → General."

Combining a familiar look with the default save in DOCX can shorten a lot There of adaptation if the team is migrating.

Working with editors who use Track Changes (and external services)

In academic and professional settings, editors typically edit changes using Word's "Track Changes" and return a .docx file. If the original document is in ODT, it's a good idea to convert it to DOCX beforehand for this feature to work. with all its power in Word.

Some specialized review services only accept Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) to be able to use Track Changes. If you're in that situation, open your ODT in LibreOffice or Word and "Save As" .docx. Keep in mind that, after editing, They will return a .docx to you with the changes marked for you to accept/reject.

If you want to transfer a LaTeX file to Word for review, remember the method: export to PDF, open the PDF with Word (it will be automatically converted to editable format) and save as .docx. The layout can be move slightly, so set aside time to review it.

A practical tip if you're hiring a service: they usually offer delivery times ranging from 3, 6, and 12 hours (same-day delivery) to 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days, including weekends. For payments, they accept cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro, Diners Club), PayPal, and Apple Pay, with transaction fees typical between 2% and 3,9% depending on the method.

And if you need an invoice, you can usually download it after payment by going to the order details, “Invoices” tab and clicking “DownloadIf you need changes (for example, adding a reference), you'll need to request them by email, and they may take a few business days.

Quick guide to opening and saving between applications

If you want to get it straight, this is how LibreOffice redirects each Microsoft file type: DOC/DOCX to Writer, XLS/XLSX to Calc y PPT/PPTX/PPS to ImpressAnd yes, you can save as Microsoft formats from within each module using “Save As.”

If you ever need to convert to ODF in bulk, use the Document Conversion Wizard and choose the input and output folders. It's perfect for archiving. entire collections in open standard without spending hours.

OpenOffice vs. LibreOffice: Relevant Differences

Although they are close cousins, LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice are not equally advanced in terms of filters. LibreOffice usually opens documents in “compatibility mode” with less problems and can save in .doc and .docx (the latter in compatibility mode). OpenOffice, on the other hand, saves in .doc but not in .docx, which forces you to convert by third parties if you need DOCX from AOO.

This does not mean that LibreOffice does everything perfectly, but its compatibility with MS's own elements (shapes, some SmartArt, certain graphics) is usually better than AOO, although often without full editing.

Templates and resources to get off to a good start

If you rely on templates, it's easier to maintain consistency. There are libraries with thousands of Word templates and other assets (icons, fonts, photos, web templates), accessible with monthly subscription, and also markets to buy individual templates.

Some typical examples of useful templates you can find: a modern invoice designed for corporate branding available in various colors; a minimalist resume organized in two columns with a matching cover letter; a interior brochure with about 20 fully customizable pages; a marketing proposal with 20 pages in A4 and letter formats; or a project proposal 6-page direct link. The trick is to adapt them to a "compatible" use and, if you're going to open them in LibreOffice, avoid overly complex decorative elements.